Michigan appoints official to oversee 4 schools in Eastpointe-based district

The state has appointed a chief executive officer to oversee four academically low-performing East Detroit Public Schools.

The Department of Technology, Management and Budget said Friday that State School Reform Officer Natasha Baker appointed Gary Jensen to the post. In a statement, the department says he'll work to "rapidly improve academic outcomes in the chronically underperforming schools."

The School Reform Office announced in February plans to appoint a CEO to oversee the academics of four of the Eastpointe-based district's seven schools that rank at the bottom 5 percent in the state. The schools are Bellview Elementary, Pleasantview Elementary, Kelly Middle and East Detroit High.

Jensen replaced the principal at Lakeview High School in Montcalm County in 2010 when the school was named a Michigan Priority School.